Latest news with #Bredeson
USA Today
19-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football freshman WR Jamar Browder impresses older players in 1st spring practice
Michigan football freshman WR Jamar Browder impresses older players in 1st spring practice ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Let the spring hype begin. Michigan football started spring ball on Tuesday and a handful of Wolverines met with the media on Wednesday to discuss how the first day went. And already, a freshman is making some waves. The maize and blue desperately need production from the wide receiver position, a group without really any household names. And when WolverinesWire asked senior edge rusher TJ Guy which younger players stood out to him on day one, we expected Guy to name someone either on defense or more so within his position group. However, the name that came out his mouth was one of those freshman wideouts -- a positive sign, to be sure. "Jamar Browder made a catch yesterday. I was like damn, that's gonna look good," Guy said. "So him, for sure. A whole bunch of guys. This class is uber-talented, I think, for real. So you guys are gonna see, like I said, day one, but we'll see more for sure." Browder flipped to Michigan football after originally being committed to NC State. The 6-foot-5 receiver from Santaluces Community High School in Florida was a three-star recruit but was highly prioritized by head coach Sherrone Moore during the recruiting process. He got an opportunity to be involved early as he early enrolled and practiced with the team as it prepared to face Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Team captain and Wolverines fullback Max Bredeson also noted the play and why it was encouraging to see Browder make it. "Yeah, he made a play," Bredeson said. "One of the jumps -- got a high one. It was a pretty cool play to see a freshman first day go do something." The Wolverine receiving corps has been a bit more of a diminutive group. Without obvious size on the boundaries, the maize and blue have more so gone with speed in recent years to make up for the lack of length. But now, Michigan has two 6-foot-5 receivers in the position group, with Browder joining Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley as being the two biggest wideouts that the Wolverines have. As far as Bredeson sees it, having two big players like that should create some problems for opposing defenses. "It's definitely got to help," Bredeson said. "I've never played defense, or haven't played defense in college, but I'm sure looking across and seeing a guy who's 6-foot-5 probably isn't as much fun. But yeah, it's definitely got to be a good addition. He can jump too. Both of them can. So it definitely helps." Spring ball may have just started but the annual spring game takes place one month from now, on April 19 at noon EDT at The Big House.
USA Today
14-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 Bucs Offseason Preview: Offensive Line
One key to the Buccaneers' 2020 Super Bowl run was their stellar offensive line. A few years of attrition had the line starting from scratch in 2023 and attempting to return to form in 2024. Tampa Bay finished top-five in virtually every offensive category, thanks in large part to the success of its efforts to rebuild the offensive line. If there is one constant in Tampa Bay, Tristan Wirfs plays at an All-Pro level. His second year at left tackle was even better than his first. He allowed just 13 pressures on 664 pass-blocking reps, making him the most efficient pass-blocking tackle in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. Right tackle Luke Goedeke proved his impressive 2023 was not a fluke. He grew as a pass blocker, allowing just 17 pressures compared to 44 in 2023 per PFF. While he missed four games with a concussion, Goedeke was essential to the Bucs' offensive success down the stretch. The real question for the Bucs' offensive line heading into 2024 was whether their rebuilt interior would improve from being among the NFL's worst in 2023. Their moves paid off as the interior helped the Bucs not only maintain its strong pass blocking but went from the worst rushing offense in 2023 to the fourth-best in yards and yards per attempt. Second-year right guard Cody Mauch went from being nearly unplayable in 2023 to one of the best pass-protecting guards in 2024. He allowed just 19 pressures after allowing 57 in 2023 per PFF. Rookie center Graham Barton had some typical rookie struggles but largely proved the Bucs right for taking him in the first round. Veteran addition Ben Bredeson was the line's weak link, although he managed to have a career year. Joining the Bucs after three seasons with the New York Giants, Bredeson allowed 36 pressures, most on Tampa Bay's line in 2024. The offensive line enters the offseason with few questions. Last offseason, the Bucs locked up Tristan Wirfs to a five-year extension, keeping him in Tampa Bay through 2029. Mauch and Barton are still on their rookie deals and represent the young future of the line. Goedeke is in line for an extension and is likely to get one in the very near future. As one of the best young right tackles in the NFL, he could find himself one of the best-paid this offseason. The highest-paid right tackle in the NFL is Detroit RT Penei Sewell, who averages $28 million per year. Goedeke is not quite on Sewell's level, but he could end up topping Chiefs RT Jawaan Taylor, who earns $20 million per year. The only imminent uncertainty facing the line this offseason is at left guard. Bredeson is a free agent, and while he had a career year last season, the Bucs could arguably upgrade the position. There are several factors to consider. Bredeson played well enough to garner looks and contract offers from other teams in a league desperate for quality offensive linemen. The Bucs have just $2.2 million in cap space, and with other pressing needs, they cannot afford a bidding war for an above-average guard. That also means the Bucs have limited options to explore other free-agent guards. General manager Jason Licht clearly prefers building through the draft and could add another rookie guard to replace Bredeson. William and Mary's Charles Grant is a Jason Licht special: an athletic small-school tackle likely to convert to guard in the NFL. If Licht were to go against type, he could target Georgia's Tate Ratledge, who is both powerful and experienced. The main obstacle here is that the Bucs have significant needs across their defense, making another offensive line pick a bit of a luxury. The Bucs could look to their own roster for a solution. 2024 sixth-round pick Elijah Klein got a lot of buzz last offseason and might be ready to step into the starting lineup. However, given his lack of experience, the Bucs may prefer to have a veteran like Bredeson in place in case Klein flounders in training camp. Bredeson is not the only pending free agent on the Bucs roster. 2021 third-round pick Robert Hainsey was relegated to a reserve role in 2024 after failing to establish himself at center the three previous seasons. Hainsey does provide solid depth for all three interior spots and could return on a cheap deal, though he is at best a lateral move from Bredeson. The final free agent the Bucs will need to consider re-signing is reserve tackle Justin Skule. When Goedeke was out with a concussion, Skule played admirably, even if he was victimized by Aidan Hutchinson in Week 2. Skule needed a good deal of help to hold up, but he proved to be viable depth last season and should be in consideration for a one- or two-year extension.
